Home Sweet Home!

For the past few months Faith's coming home outfit(a pink onesie with the words "Worth the Wait" have been hanging by her bedside on an IV pole. We've been waiting for the day she could wear it. Today was her day.

Above: Strap me in! I'm ready to go! After many tearful goodbyes Faith was put in her car seat and ready to go. Below: One of Faith's primary nurses (who has been taking care of her since her 2nd day of life) walks us out. This was a significant picture because we've walked this hallway everyday for the past 6 months. The walk to the car is always the hardest because that meant we were leaving our baby. Today the walk took on a new meaning. And the fact that Faith got to travel in an elevator that went to an exit and not a surgery floor was amazing!

Above: Faith sees light for the first time!!!! She's a 1/2 of a year old and has never been outside...until today! Even though she was sleeping- it was a shock to her body! Below: Faith's nurse (Aunt Teena) says goodbye.

Above: Going for the ride of her life! Below: Home, Sweet Home!

Faith "sees" her butterfly room for the first time.

The irony in all of this is we have been putting together her room for the past YEAR and she will spend little time there. Since she is very attached to equipment her main "stations" are in our bedroom and in the living room.

Below: There's no place like home!

After 178 days in the NICU we are THRILLED to announce that Faith is FINALLY home!!!!!! We got a very happy phone call this morning saying that it was ok to discharge! The whole day since then has been a whirlwind. Leaving the NICU was very emotional. After our good-byes and exciting car ride home we were greeted by our medical supply company and respiratory therapist who helped us set everything up and get Faith off and running. Since then we have been very busy unpacking supplies, suctioning Faith, organizing stuff, suctioning Faith, etc. ;) I don’t think it has hit us yet. For months we’ve waited for this day, and it has finally arrived. It’s almost like we are playing house. For months it seems like Faith wasn’t our baby and suddenly we are responsible for her! We received a discharge summary today that stated everything that Faith has gone through- boy that girl is tough! She has really been through the ringer. As we’ve said before she is such an inspiration. As we walked out of the NICU we couldn't stop thinking how proud we were of her. SHE MADE IT! The odds were stacked very high against her and her beat them. Once again, she is our hero! Well, we want to tell you more about our exciting day but we have a goal to make it through this next week; sleep when Faith sleeps. Cuz Lord knows she won’t be sleeping at 3am! Sooo..it’s off to bed...where we get to sleep next to our baby! (Can you believe it?!!!!!)
Thank you all so much. If there is one thing this whole ordeal has taught us is that people are good. We have experienced true kindness of humanity. For that we are very grateful.
Brain and Jen :)
PS: For those of you out there wondering (yes, we know you are wondering) no, Faith did not meet her "brothers" (the dogs) today. We wisely planned a sleepover at grandmas because we knew the first few days/nights would be hectic. We will keep you updated!